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A    MEMORIAL 


pent,  duloitcl  |o|ji  %.  %\mim, 


OF     TIIF 


THIRD  VIRGINIA  CAVALRY, 


BY 


THE    REV.   R.    L,.   DABNEY,  D.    D. 


RICHMOND,    VA: 

PRESBYTERIAN"  COMMITTEE   OP     PUBLICATION. 
1864. 


THE 

WILLIAM  R.  PERKINS 

LIBRARY 

OF 
DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


Rare  Books 


M EMORIAL 

OF 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  THORNTON. 


Amidst  the  great  company  of  Christian  heroes  whom 
Virginia  has  sacrificed  for  the  independence  of  the  Con- 
federate States,  few  names.,  next  to  her  Jackson's,  shine 
more  brightly  than  that  of  Lieut.  Col.  John  T.  Thorn- 
ton of  Prince  Edward,  Va.  Tke  son  of  Mr.  Win.  Thorn- 
ton of  Cumberland  county,  he  inherited  from  his  father 
an  honorable  name,  a  vigorous  understanding,  and  an  am- 
ple estate.  After  the  most  careful  literary  training,  he 
adopted  the  profession  of  law,  and  chose  the  town  of 
Fai  mville  for  his  residence.  Frcm  the  very  beginning, 
his  high  honor  and  qualifications  secured  him  the  respect 
of  his  fellow-citizens  ;  and  he  stepped  into  a  busy  prac- 
tice, in  which  he  was  fast  winning  the  highest  grade  of 
distinction.  Here  the  present  war  found  him,  although 
still  a  young  man,  diligent!}1-  engaged  in  his  proression, 
the  pride,  the  trusted  counsellor,  and  chosen  servant,  of 
his  county,  and  surrounded  with  all  the  domestic  bliss 
which  an  elegant  home,  and  an  engaging  family  could 
confer.  This  happiness  he  was  peculiarly  fitted  to  enjoy. 
But  although  a  liberal  supporter,  and  habitHal  attendant, 
of  the  offices  of  religion,  he  was  not  yet  a  Christian :  this 
crown  was  lacking  to  his  character. 


4  A    MEMORIAL    OF  • 

Mr.  Thornton  was  in  temper  a  conservative ;  and  ac- 
cordingly, in  politics  lie  was  no  extremist.  Gf  the  Con- 
vention which  dissolved  the  connexion  of  Virginia  with 
the  Federal  Union,  he  was  chosen  a  member.  There, 
and  in  the  primary  meetings  of  the  people,  his  chaste  and 
masculine  eloquence  was  frequently  heard,  advocating, 
on  the  one  hand,  all  the  conciliation  and  forbearance  to- 
wards our  assailants  consistent  with  honor  and  righte- 
ousness, and  on  the  other,  the  most  determined  assertion 
of  our  essential  rights.  After  witnessing  the  scornful 
rejection  of  all  the  overtures  our  magnanimous  Common- 
wealth made  for  the  sake  of  peace,  he"  heartily  concurred 
in  the  act  which  made  her  independent  of  the  betrayers 
of  the  Constitution ;  and  when  the  Convention  adjourn- 
ed, he  immediately  returned  home,  and  accepted  the  com- 
mand of  a  company  of  horse,  composed  of  his  friends  and 
neighbors.  This  troop  was  embodied  in  the  3rd  Virginia 
Cavalry.  Although  at  first  a  novice  in  military  affairs, 
he  rapidly  became  a  well-instructed  and  efficient  officer, 
while  his  courage,  fortitude,  and  impartiality,  made  him 
the  idol  of  his  men.  As  the  first  year.of  the  war  approach- 
ed its  end,  all  the  volunteer  regiments  were  re-organ- 
ized ;  when  he  was  chosen  Lieutenant  Colonel.  Con- 
cerning this  promotion  he  thus  writes  to  his  wife: 

c  In  the  re-organization  of  this  regiment,  I  was  chosen 
Lieutenant  Colonel.  This  promotion  was  unexpected ; 
but  I  shall  accept  it,  and  endeavor  with  all  my  powers  to 
discharge  its  duties.  I  pray  God  to  give  me  the  requisite 
skill  and  courage  for  this  position,  that  I  may  so  bear  my- 
self in  it,  as  to  do  good  service  to  my  country." 

This  place  he  filled  with  eminent  success,  and  like  a 
good  soldier,  "  bore  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day." 
His  former  associates  remarked  with  wonder,  that  he 
seemed  formed  by   nature   for   a   soldier ;  that  although 


LIEUT.    COLO*£L    THOBNTON.  5 

reared  in  elegance,  and  devoted  hitherto  almost  exclu- 
sively to  literary  pursuits,  he  seemed  to  sleep  any  where, 
eat  any  thing,  r.ud  to  endure  any  hardship,  without  in- 
convenience. He  appeared  thus,  only  because  his  manly 
spirit  refused  to  complain  of  his  trials;  while  in  truth, 
both  body  and  mind  were  suffering  acutely  under 
them.  Throughout  the  bloody  campaign  of  18G2,  he  was 
always  at  his'p  te  expedition  into  Maryland,  he 

was    in   command  of  the  .nent,   then  a  part  of 

Gen.  Fitzhugb  Lee's  Cavalry  Brigade.  In  the  combat  of 
Boonsboro',  when  this  brigade  covered  the  retreat  of  the 
Confederate  Army  against  the  whole  host  of  McClellan, 
the  light  of  that  clear  autumn  sun  was  turned  into  dark- 
ness by  the  smoke  and  battle  dust.  Down  that  famed 
causeway,  as  terrible  as  the  jaws  of  hell,  swept  by  can- 
non shot  and  shells,  and  by  clouds  of  sharpshooters  on 
the  front,  and  right,  and  left,  Col.  Thornton  led  his  regi- 
ment again  and  again,  in  impetuous  charges;  until  the 
purpose  of  the  Commander-in  chief  was  secured,  in  bring- 
ing off  his  artillery  and  trains.  In  this  fiery  ordeal, 
though  his  horse  was  kilted  under  him,  he  escaped  un- 
scathed. But  on  the  bloody  morning  of  Sharpsburg,  as 
he  was  bringing  his  regiment  into-  position  to  protect  the 
left  of  the  army,  Lis  punctilious  obedience  to  orders  led 
hitft  to  expose  himself  during  a  lew  minute's  halt,  to  a 
battery  of  the  enemy  ;  and  almost  the  first  shot  which 
opened  the  fearful  drama  of  the  day,  gave  him  a  fatal 
wound.  It  exploded  beside  him,  and  one  fragment  tore 
his  saddle  to  pieces,  inflicting  an  irreparable  shock  on  his 
body,  while  another  crushed  his  arm  almost  from  the 
hand  to  the  shoulder.  His- frightened  horse  was  arrest- 
ed by  his  men,  he  sunk  fainting  into  their  amis,  and  was 
carried  to  a  little  faru  -id,     There,  th*> 


6  A    MEMORIAL    OF 

surgeons  endeavored  to  save  his  life  by  amputating  his 
mangled  limb  ;  but  in  vain.  After  lingering  for  twelve 
hours  insensible  or  delirious,  he  fell  asleep. 

His  friends  were  aware  that  since  he  entered  the  ser- 
vice, his  religious  character  had  undergone  a  revolution. 
God,  "  whose  thoughts  are  not  as  our  thoughts,"  had 
employed  the  solemnities  of  this  dreadful  war,  together 
with  the  death  of  two  beloved  brothers,  to  mature  the 
convictions,  which  the  sanctuary,  and  the  pure  Christian 
example  that  blessed  his  home,  had  implanted,  but  could 
not  perfect.  Numerous  passages  from  his  letters  illus- 
trate the  birth  and  growth  of  his  remarkable  religious 
character. 

Among  the  sad  remains  which  were  brought  along  with 
his  corpse,  to  his  widow,  were  a  few  of  his  prayers,  writ- 
ten amidst  the  confusion  of  the  bivouac,  on  bits  of  pa- 
per, and  folded  into  his  pocket-bible.  These  precious 
relics  of  his  piety  I  am  permitted  to  copy  ;  and  the  pur- 
pose of  this  introductory  narrative  is  to  present  them  to 
his  personal  friends,  to  his  comrades  in  arms,  and  to  the 
soldiers  of  our  patriotic  and  suffering  army,  as  his  own 
solemn  testimony  to  the  religion  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
In  them,  "he  being  dead,  yet  speaketh."  The  objsct  is 
to  permit  him  to  speak  chiefly  for  himself:  no  attempt 
is  made  to  do  more  than  place  the  necessary  links  of  con- 
nexion between  the  pieces  which  unfold  his  religious  emo- 
tions. This  brief  portraiture  cannot  be  made  without  a 
partial  disclosure  of  those  dearer  affections,  which  Col. 
Thornton's  sensitive  honor  was  wont  to  cover  jealously 
in  the  sanctity  of  his  own  heart  and  home.  But  no 
brave  man  will  be  capable  of,  reading  it  with  any  other 
than  emotions  of  reverent  sympathy.     Nor  will  any  such 


LIEUT.    COLONEL     THORNTON.  7 

fail  to  recognize,  in  the  spirit  winch  has  yielded  th< 
cred  mementoes  to  the  inspection  of  hisbrothers-in-arrus, 
the  same  self-consecration,  and  preference  of  duty  over 
feeling,  which  made  him  the  Christian  hero.  It  has  only 
been  done  because  of  the  belief,  that,  could  the  soul  of 
the  departed  speak  from  that  blest  abode,  where  it  is 
now,  as  we  humbly  trust,  solaced  for  its  pains,  it  would 
pronounce  the  commending  of  Christ  to -its  fellows  a 
dearer  object  than  any  earthly  tie. 

In  the  opinion  of  all  who  have  been  permitted  to  read 
them,  these  prayers  are  peculiarly  excellent.  They  show 
a  maturity  of  Christian  feelings,  a  propriety  in  the  selec- 
tion of  topics  and  language,  a  tenderness,  fervency,  and 
humility,  remarkable  in  one  who  was*  so  young  in  the 
faith.  It  is  hoped  that  they  will  furnish  to  many  a 
yourg  disciple  a  pattern  for  his  breathings  after  the  Sa- 
viour, and  to  many  a  Christian  husband  and  father  in  the 
army,  a  vehicle  for  transmitting  to  heaven  his  }rearnings 
for  h  loved  ones  at  home." 

The  reader's  attention  is  especially  called  to  the  pow*- 
erful  awakening  of  the  sense  of  parental  responsibility 
in  Col.  Thornton's  bosom,  as  soon  as  he  became  a  Chris- 
tian. His  most  cherished  desire  for  life,  was,  that  ho 
might  return  and  aid  his  beloved  wife  in  guiding  the  steps, 
ot  his  sons  heavenward.  It  is  note-worthy  also,  how 
frequently  his  servants  are  included  in  these  Christian 
affections.  He  rarely  forgets  to  send  them  his  kindly 
salutations.  He  feels  his  obligations,  as  their  master,  to 
their  souls,  and  prays  for  their  temporal  and  eternal  wel- 
fare. Col.  Thornton,  a  large  slaveholder,  the  son  of  a 
large  planter,  reared  near  his  father's  servants,  was  the 
fail  est  type  of  that  character,  as  developed  under  South- 


8 


A    MEMORIAL    OF 


ern  institutions.  The  affectionate  relations  existing  be- 
tween him  and  his  servants,  and  the  bending  of  such  a 
mind  and  heart  to  their  good,  nre  the  clearest  proofs  of 
the  wickedness  of  those  who  are  shedding  so  much  blood 
to  destroy  these  ties.  Another  purpose  of  this  littre  tract 
is,  to  show  the  world,  in  this  specimen  among  a  thousand 
of  ou*  Christian  patriots,  how  high  and  holy  are  the 
principles  which  nerve  their  arms  in  this  war.  There  is 
here,  no  lust  of  power,  notoriety,  or  wealtt  ;  no  unsanc- 
tified  revenge  :  but  the  resolve  of  the  virtuous  soul,  sad- 
ly, yet  firmly  accepting  the  mournful  alternative  of  re- 
sistance, rather  than  recreancy  to  duty.  The  enemies  of 
our  country,  however,  they  may  contemn  our  material 
strength,  may  wreli  tremble  at  the  guilt  of  the  wholesale 
murders  they  perpetrate  to  crush  this  righteous  spirit  of 
defence.  It  is  the  spirit  of  God's  Word  ;.  it  is  sustained 
and  prompted,  in  its  noblest  instances,  by  His  Holy  Ghost. 
Do  they  not  see  that,  although  God  may  chastise  our  in- 
gratitude and  irreligion  towards  Him,  by  using  their 
wicked  hands  as  the  instruments  of  correction,  they  are 
fighting  against  Him,  and  their  murders  will  yet  be 
avenged  in  calamities  so  dire,  that  both  the  ears  of  them 
that  hear  shall  tingle  ? 

Butfit  is  time  to  proceed  directly  to  the  narrative  of 
Col.  Thornton's  religious  life.  His  brief  expressions  of 
feeling  muse  be  weighed  by  the  reader  with  this  fact: 
that  his  character  was  always  marked  by  a  strong  abhor- 
rence of  meaningless  professions.  He  seems  to  have  been, 
at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  not  a  stranger  to  prayer; 
but  the  death  of  two  brothers  in  rapid  succession,  one  of 
whom,  a  citizen  of  Texas,  comifig  to  Virginia  with  the 
soldiers  of  that  State?  only  reached   Richmond  to  dies 


LIEUT.  COLONEL  THORNTON.  9 

profoundly  deepened  his  religious  emotionsv  October, 
18th,  1861,  he  writes  from  Camp  Bethel,  on  the  Penin- 
sula : 

"I  feel  sometimes  very  sad  and  solitary  in  this  long 
absence  from  you.  The  death  of  S****  stunned  by  its 
suddenness  and  unexpectedness.  1  am  left  alone  of  all 
my  brothers  in  this  Confederacy.  *  *  *  *  I  would 
draw  closer  to  your  side  than  ever  before. 

It  is  hard  to  bear  my  griefs  alone;  but  I  pray  that  I 
m?,y  see  dearly  m  these  bereavements,  the  hand  of  a 
wise  and  merciful  God.  I  try  to  believe  ttat  '  He  doth 
not  afflict  willingly,  nor  grieve  the  children  of  men;' 
that  '  though  he  cau^e  grief,  yet  will  He  have  compassion 
according  to  the  multitude  of  His  tender  mercies.'  But 
my  skepticism  is  sometimes  painful,  and  i:  I  lough 

Heaven  were  covered  with  a  cloud  through  which  my 
prayers  could  not  pa 

The  next  extract  which  we  make,  may  illustrate  the 
habitual  temper  of  his  mind  as  to  the  issue  of  the  war 
before  him : 

"Camp  in  Lee's  Field.  April  9d,  18G2, 

"We  have  now  a  large  army  in  this  Peninsula.  Our 
men  are  in  fine  spirits,  and  I  look  with  confidence  to  the 
God  of  battles,  to  give  us  the  'victory.  1  pray  he  may 
be  my  shield  in  the  hour  of  conflict.  I  have  mu 
make  life  sweet  to  me.  ******  Iiet  us  implore 
humbly  and  earnestly  the  Father  of  mercies,  who  has 
showered  so  man  .s  on  us,  that  lie  will  guide  us 

through  the  perils  of  the  dark  hours  of  war.  to  the  sun- 
ny, bright  days  of  peace. ;; 

June  1st.,  1802,  he  wril  :  a  definite  avowal  of 

his  hope  in  Christ,  and  purpose  to  live  a  new  life.  After 
a  tribute  to  the  Christian  fidelity  of  her  to  whom  the 
letter  is  addressed,  tender  and  glowing,  hi  thus  pro- 
ceeds : 


10  A    MEMORIAL    OF 

"  This  service  in  the  army  has  not  been  without  its 
benefits,  and  as  I  trust,  great,  lasting,  and  eternal  bene- 
fits, to  me.  The  busy,  bustling  life,  that  I  bad  led  ever 
since  I -left  College,  until  I  left  home  for  the  war,  gave 
me  but  little  time  for  calm,  serious,  sober  thought  on  my 
past  history  and  future  life.  In  the  quiet  of  the  out- 
post, in  the  stillness  of  the  camp  at  night,  in  the  weary, 
solitary  journeys  to  visit  the  chain  of  sentinels,  I  find 
ample  time  for  reflection.  With  no  books  to  read,  with 
no  business  cares  to  engross  or  distract  my  attention,  my 
mind  has  turned  back  upon  myself,  and  often  has  the 
path  I  have  trod  been  travelled  over  again  by  me. 
Thoughts  of  you  *".**.*  restrained  me  from  those  vulgar 
vices  of  the  camp,  drinking  and  card-playing.  Thoughts 
of  you  *  *  *  *,  kept  back  my  tongue  from  profanity,  and 
then  thoughts  of  the  words  you  had  spoken  and  written 
tome  *  *  *  *,  and  thoughts  of  the  goodness  of  God,  and 
of  my  sins,  and  of  my  need  as  a  sinner,  led  me  to  seek 
salvation  through  the  mercy  of  God,  and  the  atonement 
of  .Jesus.  I  trust  *  ■*  '*  *,  that  I  truly  believe,  and 
shall  prove  faithful  to  the  end,  and  be  an  inheritor  of 
the  promises'." 

"If  I  am  spared  to  return  home,-  I  trust  that  you  and 
I  *  *  *  *,  will  live  through  long  years,  to  serve  our 
heavenly  Father  who  has  been  so. kind  to  us,  if  such  be 
His  holy  will.  But  If,  in  His  wisdom  and  justice  and 
mercy,  he  determines  otherwise,  and  either  of  us  be 
shortly  take»n  from  the  other,  then  may  the  other  bear 
the  chastisement  with  meekness,  and  look  forward  to  a 
re-union  in  God's  own  good  time,  on  that  blessed  shore, 
where  adieus  and  farewells  are  sounds  unknown."  *  *  *  * 

"  Kiss  all  the  bo.ys  for  me.     Give  my  love  to  Mrs. ; 

I  hope  she  has  recovered.  Remember  me  kindly  to  the 
servants.  Farewell,  *  *  *  *.  May  God  keep  you  and 
our  dear  children." 

June  4th,  18G2,  he  writes  thus: 

"  T^ell  the  dear  boys  I  think  often  of  them,  and  trust 
they  will  be  obedient  to  you,  and  industrious  in  their 
studies.  I  have  high  hopes  and  expectations  of  our  boys, 
and  it  would  be  a  mercy   of  God   for   which  we  should 


LIEUT.    COLONEL     THOKSION.  11 

pray,  that  you  and  I  may  be  spared  to  see  tliein  reared 
to  manhood,  and  to  use  our  exertions  to  lead  them  to 
the  paths  of  piety  and  honor." 

The  same  hopes  are  pursued  in  his  next: 

"  Camp  near  Richmond,  June  I2t7i,  1862. 

It  is  one  of  my  earnest  petitions  to  God,  that  if  it  be 
hi  accordance  with  His  wise  decrees,  He  may  spare  you 
and  me,  to  train  our  dear  boys  under  his  guidance.  I 
feel  how  weak  and  feeble  I  am  in  the  Christian  life.  I 
trust,  with  fear  and  trembling,  that  my  fai  th  is  sincere,  and 
my  hopas  are  well  grounded.  Certainly  1  could  not  ob- 
ject to  your  telling  our  friend  L ,  or  any  other  friend 

you  might  desire  to  talk  with  on  the  subject,  of  my  hope 
that  my  sins  are  pardoned,  and  that  I  am  a  true  believer. 
But,  I  do  no  t  wish  you  to  be  deceived  as  to  the  state  of 
my  heart,  and  I  know  you  would  not  deceive  any  one 
else.  I  have  sinned  much  and  long.  I  try,  with  a  sin- 
cere penitence,  I  trust,  to  ask  forgiveness  of  those  sins 
from  our  Heavenly  Father,  by  reason  of  the  atonement 
made  by  our  loving  Saviour,  whose  righteousness  I  im- 
plore may  be  imputed  to  me.  I  feel  the  risings  of  sin  in 
my  heart  every  day.  I  endeavor  to  drive  impure  thoughts 
from  my  heart,  to  banish  wicked  words  from  my  tongue, 
and  to  keep  my  hands  from  unclean  deeds,  but  despite 
my  striving,  my  prayers,  my  penitence,  I  sin.  Conscious 
of  my  guilt,  praying  for  forgiveness,  I  am  a  poor,  weak 
Ch;  istian.  You  must  not  then  expect  to  see  high  Chris- 
tian graces  in  me.  I  hope,  I  trust,  I  pray  for  increase  of 
faith.  I  try  to  believe  and  implore  God  to  help  my  un- 
belief. I  notice  all  you  say  in  reference  to  conversation 
with  old  and  tried  Christians.  I  should  be  rejoiced  to 
have  such  friends  to  commune  with,  but  I  never  could 
unveil  my  heart  to  any  one  except  you  ;  and  even  now, 
I  do  not  know  how  I  could  speak  to  any  one  of  my  de- 
sire to  be  a  Christian,  of  my  communings  with  «ur  Heav- 
enly Father,  of  my  faith  in  our  adorable  Saviour,  of  my 
prayers  for  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  You  must 
be  my  guide  ***.'*  in  the  Christian  walk  *  *  *  *  and 
to  you  I  must  look  for  advice  and  counsel.     I  pray  that 


12 


A    MEMORIAL   OF 


the  war  may  end,  and  you  may  take  my  Land  in  yours, 
and  that  we  may  pass  along  life's  journey  aiding  and  en- 
couraging each  other  in  all  our  Christian  duties." 

About  this  tinie  was  written  the  first  of  these  prayers 
whici  has  been  preserved  ;  its  date  is  June  10th.  The 
bloody,  but  indecisive  battle  of  Seven  Pines  had  then  been 
fought.  The  vast  hosts  of  Federals  were  pressing  close 
up  to  the  beleaguered  city.  The  army  of  Jackson  was 
seemingly  involved  past  hope  in  those  complications  of 
danger,  from  which  it  was  soon  to  emerge  "in  a  blaze  of 
glory.  Every  where,  the  condition  of  the  Confederacy 
seemed  to  anxious  patriots  perilous,  in  the  extreme.  It 
was  at  this  juncture  Col.  Thornton  penned  these  devout 
and  solemn  petitions : 

A     P  R  A  Y  E  R  . 

"  I  beseech  and  implore  thee,  merciful  Father,  to  look 
down  with  tender  compassion  on  thy  unworthy  servant, 
to  forgive  his  sins,  to  strengthen  his -faith,  to  fill  his 
heart  with  thy  grace,  to  shed  upon  his  soul  the  influences 
of  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  to  give  him  bodily  strength  and 
courage  for  the  discharge  of  all  his  duties,  to  illumine  his 
mind  with  thy  divine  intelligence,  to .  guide  his  feet  in 
the  path  of  holiness,  to  deliver  him  from  every  tempta- 
tion that  may  assail  him,  to  shield  him  from  every  assault 
of  man  or  devil,  to  maintain  him  in  health  of  body  and 
purity  of  spirit,  and  finally  to  receive  him  in  heaven,  thy 
holy  dwelling  place  ;  there  to  live  forever  in  the  joy  and 
delight  of  thy  presence.33 

"  I  pray  thee,  Oh  God !  to  blot  out  my  sins.  I  feel 
how  vile  and  impure  I  am  and  have  been.  I  feel  that  I 
can  find  refuge  alone  in  the  abundance  of  thy  tender 
mercies:  that  nothing  but  the  blood  of  Jesus,  our  ado- 
rable Saviour  can  cleanse  my  vile  heart  of  its  pollution. 
Under  the  shadow  of  thy  mercy  I  seek  to  hide,  in  the 
flood  that  flows  from  Calvary,  I  wash  my  soul"5' 

"  Preserve  me,  Oh  Lord !  from  presumption,  from  & 
vain  and  foolish  reliance  on  my  own  strength,  from  a  gil- 


LIEUT.    COLONEL     THORNTON.  13 

ly  confidence  in  the  power  and  efficacy  of  my  own  good 
works  ;  cause  me  at  all  times  to  know  my  folly  and  weak- 
.  ness  ;  keep  me  continually  mindful  that  salvation  is  all 
of  free,  unmerited  grace ;  and  never  allow  ine"  for  an  in- 
stant to  forget  that  the  works  of  man,  even  the  best  he 
can  perform,  a^e  marked  by  folly,  and  stained  with 
guilt." 

"  In  thy  hands,  Oh  merciful  Father,  are  the  fortunes  of 
my  beloved  State  and  Country.  I  recognize  thy  chas- 
tening hand  in  the  afflictions  thou  hast  sent  upon  our 
land  and  upon  our  people.  Teach  \is  all  to  submit  with 
Christian  humility  to  these  sad  tribulations,  to  bear  with 
Christian  resignation  these  severe  trials,  to  bow  beneath 
the  rod,  and  with  reverence  to  ionor  the  hand  that 
smites.  In  thine  own  appointed  time,  Oh  God  !  thou 
wilt  deliver  us  from  the  hands  of  our  enemies  and  of 
those  wbo  hate  us.  Thou,  Oh  Lord!  wilt,  in  thy  good 
time,  lead  us  by  a  path  that  thou  wilt  open  to  our  feet, 
to  safety  and  independence.  Be  thou,  Oh  Lord  !  our 
stay  And  our  deliverance.  In  the  day  of  battle  be  with 
us  ;  uphold  our  hands,  strengthen  our  hearts,  and  give  us 
victory  over  our  foes.  Oh  Lord  !  smite  with  thy  righte- 
ous indignation  the  cruel  invaders  who  now  drive  us  from 
our  homes  and  beseige  our  Capital.  Send  thy  Angel, 
armed  with  the  sword  of  justice,  to  execute  vengeance 
upon  our  cruel  foes.  Make  our  army  a  holy  instrument 
in  thy  hands,  to  punish  the  insolent  tyrants  who  are  now 
endeavoring  to  subjugate  our  people,  to  free  our  slaves, 
to  confiscate  our  lands,  and  to  take  from  us  all  that  in 
thy  goodness,  thou  hast  given  us.  Drive  the  enemy,  Oh 
Lord  !  from  our  soil.  Give  us,  merciful  Father,  the"  bless- 
ings of  peace.  Shed  the  inluences  of  thy  Holy  Spirit 
upon  the  hearts  of  our  rulers  and  people,  upon  the  hearts 
of  the  officers  and  privates  of  our  army,  and  make  us  a 
God-fearing  nation,  whose  Ruler  is  the  great  Jehovah. 
I  implore  thee,  Oh  God !  for  thy  blessing  and  especial 
favor  on  the. Regiment  in  which  I  am  serving.  Make 
them  pure  and  holy.  Make  them  a  band  of  Chri>ti?u 
warriors,  who  shall  fight  in  thy  strength.  Cover  their 
hsads  in  the  hour  of  conflict  j  crown  thorn  with  victory 


14  A    MEMORIAL    OF 

over  our  Northern  foes,  and  over  the  wiles  and  machina 
tions  of  the  Evil  One." 

"  I  beseech  thee,  Heavenly  Father,  to  guard  and  guide, 
and  console,  and  sustain,  thy  handmaiden  and  servant, 
the  wife  whom  thou  hast  given  me.  Bless  her,  Oh  Lord  ! 
at  all  times.  Write  thy  law  upon  her  hefrt.  Shield  her 
from  all  evil,  and  if  it  be  thy  holy  will,  unite  her  and 
myself  once  more,  and  permit  us  together,  as  heads  of  a 
Christian  family,  in  peace  to  serve  and  honor  and  praise 
thee.  Bless  the  children  thou  hast  given  to  us.  Aid  us 
to  train  them  up  in  thy  knowledge  and  in  thy  fear,  and 
to  make  them  thy  servants,  pure,  holy,  and  obedient." 

"  For  my  servants,  Oh  Lord  God  !  I  pray.  Teach  me 
how  to  act  as  their  master,  and  instruct  them  how  to  dis- 
charge their  duties  as  servants.  Fill  their  hearts  with 
love  for  thee ;  teach  them  to  shun  all  evil,  to  live  purely 
and  uprightly,  and  finally  save  thsm  with  an  eternal  sal- 
vation." 

"  Into  thy  hands  of  love  and  mercy  1  trustingly  com- 
mit myself,  Oh  Lord  God  Almighty.  If  it  be  in  accord- 
ance with  thy  wise  and  great  purposes,  I  beseech  thee, 
bear  me  safely  through  all  the  perils  of  this  war.  Car- 
ry me  back  to  my  wife  and  home  and  children ;  and  make 
me  faithful  to  thee,  walking  in  thy  statutes,  observing 
thy  commandments,  and  honoring  thee  in  all  pureness 
and  holiness  of  living.  But  if,  Oh  Lord !  according  to 
thy  righteous  decree,  I  am  to  fall  by  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  or  to  die  from  any  cause,  then  I  implore  thee, 
Heavenly  Father,  receive  my  soul,  and  take  me  t©  heaven 
to  dwell  forever  in  the  light  of  thy  holiness." 

"  If  I  have  asked,  Oh  Lord,  any  thing  wrong,  I  pray 
thee,  forgive  the  evil  thought,  and  blot  out  the  wicked 
petition.  If  my  prayers  are  pure  and  right,  I  beseech 
thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  by  reason  of  his  death 
and  sufferings,  and  because  of  his  merits,  to  answer  them. 
Add,  I  pray  thee,  Heavenly  Father,  every  blessing  on  me 
and  my  household  we  are  worthy  to  receive ;  and  to 
thee  let  all  honor  and  glory  be  ascribed.    Amen." 


LIEUT.  COLONEL  THORNTON.  15 

The  following  letter,  displays,  bis  Christian  trust  as  to 
the  issues  of  the  great  struggle  in  which  his  country  was 
engaged  : 

"  Camp  near  Richmond,  June  20th,  18C2. 

Tt  is  now  within  four  days  of  a  year,  since  I  lcit  yon 
and  home  to  enter  the  army.  It  has  been  a  year  crowd- 
ed with  incidents  of  most  momentous  importance  to  our 
State  and  Confederacy  ;  of  events  that  will  be  read  with 
interest  for  generations  to  come,  by  the  student  of  his- 
tory and  the  statesman.  It  will  tell  of  a  government 
erected  by  wise  patriots,  overthrown  by  rr.ad  ambition, 
sectional  hate,  and  unreasoning  fanaticism.  It  will  tell 
of  a  powerful  people  summoned  to  arms  to  resist  inva- 
sion and  subjugation.  The  nations  of  the  earth  have 
looked  with  complacency  upon  the  spectacle  of  a  fierce 
and  strong  democracy,  in  a  spirit  of  direst  hate  and  mean- 
est vengeance,  striving  in  every  way  to  crush  and  subju- 
gate a  feeble  people  who  only  ask  to  be  let  alone.  This 
people,  few  in  numbers  compared  with  their  adversaries, 
with  an  inadequate  supply  of  arms  and  munitions  of 
nit  up  from  intercourse  with  any  portion  of  the 
world,  have  kept  them  at  bay  for  one  year,  and  at  the 
end  of  that  time  have  forced  them  to  call  for  a  large  in- 
crease of  their  military  force.  It  is  true,  we  during  this 
time  have  sustained  grievous  reverses.  In  the  future,  we 
have  sad  and  severe  trials  before  us.  But  God  in  his 
mercy  has  borne  us  up,  and  sustained  us  thus  far,  in  our 
struggle  for  independence,  and  I  have  an  abiding  faith 
that  He  will  crown  us  in  the  end  with  victory.  I  ac- 
knowledge with  gratitude  his  mercy  to  me  in  this  year 
of  afiliction.  While  so  many  have  fallen  around  me,  from 
disease  and  the  enemy,  Ho  has  graciously  given  me 
health  aud  strength.  He  has  mercifully  protected  you 
and  our  dear  children,  and  our  servants,  during  these 
twelre  months  of  tribulations.  Let  us  praise  his  holy 
name,  and  give  thanks  with  grateful  souls,  for  His  loving 
kindness  and  mercy.  He  is  a  'God  of  comfort'  to  us, 
as  St.  Paul  calls  him.  I  do  sincerely  pray  that  all  this 
tender „care  of  me  may  excite  lively  emotions  of  piety  in 
my  soul,  and  may  constrain  me  to  unite   in  your  prayer, 


.  16  A.    MEMORIAL    OF 

that  God  will  strengthen  me  and  enable  me  to  persevere 
in  the  new  life  I  am  striving  to  lead." 

June  25th,  he  writes: 

"It  is  useless  to  speculate  as  t®  the  period  when  the 
war  will  end.  I  hear  opinions  of  various  shades  express- 
ed. It  is  still  more  idle  to  indulge  in  thoughts  of  what 
is  to  become  of  you  and  me  in  the  progress  of  the  con- 
flict. Our  lives  aud  fortunes  are  in  the  hands  of  an  alt- 
wise  ana"  merciful  God,  and  we  must  give  our  souls  repose 
in  the  faith  that  He  will  do  all  things  for  us  better  than 
we  could  for  ourselves.  This  is  the  truest,  best,  and 
firmest  consolation  we  can  have  in  these  days  of  trouble. 
"When  I  can  visit  home,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  say. 
How  much  I  would  like  to  drop  iu  on  y«ou  this  morning, 
and  see  you  with  our  children  all  around  you.  Let  us 
trust  such  joy  is  laid  up  in  store  for  us,  and  without  per- 
plexing our  hearts,  look  forward  to  the  future  with  con- 
fidence and. courage.  I  doubt  not,  your  faith  is  firmer 
than  mine ;  but  by  mutual  encouragement,  we  can 
strengthen  the  hearts  of  each  other,  to  bear  misfortune, 
if  it  is  sent  upon  us,  or  to  receive  with  joy  and  grati- 
tude whatever  blessings  may  be  vouchsafed." 

July' 4th,  1862,  he  thus  announces  the  results  of  the 
campaign  before  Richmond  : 

"  The  papers  will  give  you  an  account  of  the  triumphs 
vouchsafed  to  our  arms  by  God,  in  the  late  battles  around 
Richmond.  lie  has  mercifully  protected  me  j  but  our  loss 
in  killed  and  wounded  is  fearfully  large.  Our  whole  land 
will  be  clothed  in  mourning.  I  pray  God  to  console  the 
bereaved  hearts,  and  to  turn  the  charities  of  all  our  peo- 
ple upon  those  whose  earthly  protectors  have  been  taken 
from  them." 

The-  reader  will  now  be  able  to  understand  the  allusioa 
of  the  following 

PRAYER. 

«  July  4thi  18G2. 

My  Father  in  Heaven,  I  come  before  thee  this  morn- 
ing with  a  song  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  for  the  victo- 


LIEUT.    COLONEL     THORNTON.  17 

ry  thou  hast  given  us  over  our  enemies.  Oh  Lord,  thou 
hast  heard  the  prayers  of  thy  people  ;  their  supplications 
and  petitions  hi  rone,  and  in  the 

lance  of  thy  mercies  thou  hast  heard  them  and  an- 
swered them,  by  granting  to  our  arms  a  triumph  over 
bur  invaders.  1  feel  and  confess  it  is  all  from  thee, 
God  Almighty  ;  and  to  thy  holy  and  glorious  name  do  I 
ascribe  all  the  praise.  Continue,  I  pray  thee,  thy  mer- 
cy and  kindness  to  us  as  a  nation.  Give  wisdom  from  on 
high  to  our  rulers  and  general-,  and  all  others  in  ai  T 
ty.  Stren  ten  the  heart-  of  our  soldiers,  shield  their 
heads,  and  with  thy  strong  arm  bear  up  our  banner  in 
the  conflict  that  is  before  us.  Confuse  and  confound  the 
counsels  of  our  adversaries,  drive  them  from  our  ter- 
ritory, and  compel  them  by  thy  providence,  to  grant 
us  a  just  and  honorable  peace.  I  pray  thee,  Oh  Lord, 
to  sehd  thy  Holy  Spirit  into  the  hearts  of  our  sol- 
diers, and  make  them  soldiers  of  the  Gross.  Con- 
Convert  them  to* thy  service,  and  make  the  people  of  the 
Confederate  States  a  pious  people,  whose  God  is  the" 
Lord.  Ipray.thcs  Oh  Lord,  to  .be  with  the  sick  and 
wounded  of  our  army,  in  the  hospitals  and  in  the  \ 
alleviate  their  sufferings, 'soothe  their  pains,  turn  their 
hearts  to  thee,  and  bless  them  whether  thej-  live  or  die. 
1  pray,  Oh  God%  for  a  blessing  on  the  Regiment  in  which 
1  serve.  Make  all  connected  with  it  godly  men  and 
brave  soldiers.  Grant  them  grace  to  serve  thee,  and 
give  them  courage  for  the  discharge  of  every  duty." 

'•'I  pray  thee.  Oh  Lord,  to  forgive  my  sins,  to  wash 
away  my  iniquities,  to  renew  my  heart.  Pour  upon  me 
thy  grace,  so  that  I  may  always  do  thy  will.  T  pray, 
most  merciful  Father,  that  thou  wilt  make  me  pure,  give 
me. strength  to  put  away  all  evil  thoughts  and  impure 
desires,  to  resist  all  temptations  and  wicked  suggestions. 
Make  me  to  love  thee  supremely,  and  to  prefer  above  all 
things  else  to  do  thy  will,  and  to  enjoy  more  than  any 
employment,  thy  holy  service.  Enable  ire,  Oh 
Father,  to  live  near  to  thy  Divine  Son,  my  Redeemer, 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour  of  men.  Be  thou, 
Oh'Sou  of  God,  my  elder  Brother  ;  thou  hast  atoned  for 
my  sIls  j  hear  my  prayers  for  I  s  and  acceptance 


13  A    MEMORIAL    OF 

to  our  Father,  and  bring  me  back  rich  spiritual  gifts.  I 
pray  thee,  Oh  God,  to  grant  me  health  of  body  and 
steadiness  of  purpose,  and  coo],  deliberate  courage,  and 
intelligence,  to  discharge  all  the  duties  of  my  position. 
Be  with  me  in  every  trial :  if  thou  wilt,  shield  me  from 
every  danger  ;  if  it  be  thy  will  that  I  fall  in  battle,  re- 
ceive my  spirit,  and  take  me  to  thy  heavenly  mansion, 
to  dwell  there  forever  in  peace  and  rest,  and  joy  and 
bliss,  praising  and  serving  thee.1' 

"  Oh  merciful  Father,  I  implore  thy  blessing  upon  my 
beloved  wife.  Comfort,  console,  and  sustain  her,  I  pray 
thee ;  fill  her  heart  with  thy  grace  ;  give  her  strength, 
sufficient  for  all  the  severe  labors  she  has  to  perform  ; 
grant. her  wisdom  from  on  high  to  discharge  every  duty. 
Re-unite  her  and  myself,  and  let  us  through  long  years 
of  peace,  worship  thee,  and  train-  our  children  and  ser- 
vants in  thy  service.  I  pray  thee,  Heavenly  Father,  to 
bless  my  children  ;  and  fill  their  tender.hearts  with  love 
for  thee;  make  them  thy  children;  make  them  thine  by 
election  and  adoption.  Give  their  parents  wisdom  and 
grace,  to  train  them  for  •  a  heavenly  inheritance.  Bless 
my  servants,  I  implore  thee,  most  merciful  God.  Ena- 
ble me  to  instruct  them  properl}7-,  and  to  govern  them 
wisely.  Make  them  thy  servants,  zealous  in  every  good 
work ;  and  finally  receive  them  to  thyself  in  heaven." 

"  I  ask  all  these  blessing  in"  the  name  of  my  Saviour" 
Jesus.  I  offer  these  petitions  in  the  name  of  thy  Holy 
Son  Hear  me,  and  answer  me,  Oh  God.  Pour  upon 
me  every  blessing  thou  in  thy  mercy  and  loving  kind- 
ness, wilt  grant.     Amen. 

ANOTHER      PRAYER. 

July  21,  1802. 
"I  approach  thy  throne, -my  Heavenly  Father,  this 
day,  to  acknowledge  the  benefits  with  which,  in  thy  lov- 
ing kindness  and  mercy,  thou  hast  crowned  me  all  the 
days. of  my  life  :  to  confess  tfy  sins,  to  implore  forgive- 
ness, to  ask  for  thy  grace  and  the  influences  of  thy  Holy 
Spirit;  and  to  beseech  thee  to  continue  to  regard  me 
with  favor,  to  load  me  with  blessings,  and  to  grant  me 
courage   of    heart   and   strength   of  body   to   discharge 


LIEUT.    COLONEL     THORN TON.  19 

rightly  and  properly  all  the  duties  of  my  position.  Oh 
God,  wash  me  clean  in  the  blood  of  thy  Son,  Christ  Je- 
sus, my  Saviour.  Let  me  go  to  the  cross,  and  live  near 
to  him  who  died  that  I  may  live.  Raise  me  from  the 
grave  to  sit  beside  him  who  first  rose  from  the  grave  that 
He  might  show  to  men  the  way  to  heaven.  In  his  name 
I  offer  my  petitions  5  through  his  intercession  I  ask  for- 
giveness; by  reason  of  his  sufferings  and  atonement,  I 
expect  salvation.  I  know  that  1  am  guiliy,  polluted,  un- 
done, and  ruined  ;  but  I  thank  thee,  Oh  merciful  Father, 
that  on  Calvary  thou  didst  open  a  fountain,  in  whose 
stream  the  vilest  and  filthiest  sinner  may  wash  his  guilt 
away.  T©  that  fountain  filled  with  blood  I- would  corae, 
and  cleanse  my  heart  from  every  stain.  Pity,  forgive, 
and  save  me,  Lord  God  Almighty.  I  pray  thee,  merciful 
Father,  to  shield  me  from  all  the  perils  that  assail  ray 
life ;  from  the  pestilence  that  is  abroad  in  the  land,  and 
from  the  cruel  enemy  that  has  invaded,  and  is  now  rav- 
aging and  destroying  my  State  and  Country.  Be  with 
me,  Oh  Lord  God,  at  all  times ;  shield  me  in  the  hour  of 
conflict,  and  make  my  hand  strong  to  strike  for  truth, 
and  justice,  and  right.  -  Save  me,  merciful  Father,  and 
restore  me,  when  the  war  is  over,  and  thou  hast  sent 
peace  on  our  land,  to  my  home,  my  wife,  my  children, 
and  my  servants." 

''Bless,  guide,  comfort,  and  console  the  wife  thou  hast 
given  me,  and  the  children  that  haVe  been  born  by  our 
marriage.  Reign  and  rule  in  their  hearts.  Make  the 
mother  skilful  and  apt  to  teach  her  children  thy  law,  and 
turn  the  hearts  of  the  children  to  do  thy  will.  Re-unite 
us,  merciful  Father,  and  uphold  thy  handmaiden  and  my- 
self as  the  heads  of  a  Christian  family,  and  our  offspring 
and  servants'  as  its  members,  teaching  us  all  to  love  thy 
word  and  thy  law,  to  live  as  becometh  them  who  are 
striving  for  a  heavenly  inheritance,  and  finally  receive  us 
all  into  heaven,  thy  holy  dwelling  place,  to  praise  and 
honor  and  serve  thee  through  ail  eternity." 

"  Oh  Lord  God  !  have  mercy  on  my  country,  these 
Confederate  States,  now  struggling  for  salvation  from  ty- 
ranny and  oppression,  and  seeking  the  rights  thou  hast 
given  us  as  a  nation,  through  an  agony  of  blood  and  suf- 


20  A    MEMORIAL    OF 

fering.  I  see,  Oh  God,  the  desolations  that  mark  the 
footsteps  oF  our  cruel  enemy.  Before  me  are  the  naked 
.  the  ruins  of  the  burned  dwelling,  and  far  away 
from  the  fierce  foe  are  the  houseless  and  homeless  wan- 
derers. These  cruel  tyrants  boast  of  their  large  num- 
bers, their  great  wealth,  and  their  power,  vastly-superior 
to  that  of  the- e  poor  States.  They  rely  on  the  arm  of  flesh. 
We  trust  in  thee,  Oh  Lord  God  Jehovah  !  Be  thou  our 
fortress  and  our  defence  j  God  of  battles,  be  with  the 
soldiers  of  this  Confederacy;  and  give  them  victoiy  ;  God 
of  truth  and  justice,  reign  in  the  hearts  of  the  pec  pie 
all  over  the  land;  God  of  wisdom,  illumine  the  minds  of 
our  rulers  and  officers ;  God  of  mercy,  give  us  peace  ; 
God  of  nations  give  us  independence  ;  and  to  thy  nama 
be  all  honor  and  glory,  foreve:  and  ever.     Amen. 

July  22nd,  1862,  he  wrote  from  the  region  of  the  Pa- 
munkey,  a  letter  well  describing  the  principles  which 
made  him  resolute  in  enduring,  without  any  ambitious 
aspirations,  a  separation  so  irksome  to  his  soul. 

"  I  am  amused  at  the  delight  you  so  heartily  manifest, 
at  my  not  meeting  the  enemy,  who  were  reported  as 
crossing  into  King  William.  You  say  you  cannot  wish 
me  any  opportunity  of  distinction  where  my  life  v^ ill  be 
placed  in  jeopardy.  In  reply  I  would  say,  that  1  only 
desire  to  do  my  duty.  1  have  no  thirst  for  military 
fame  ;  for  I  know  it  is  won  through  blood  and  tears  and 
suffering.  But  I  do  desire  to  aid  in  driving  the  base  in- 
vader from  Virginia's  soil.  I  am  amazed  that  men  can 
sit  quietly  at  home,  when  they  see  the  fate  that  awaits 
us  if  the  enemy  succeeds  in  subjugating  us.  I  am  sitting 
now,  as  I  write,  in  full  view  of  what  was,  before  the  in- 
vasion, one  of  the  loveliest  estates  in  Virginia.  It  is  now 
a  scene  of  desolation ;  the  fields  are  naked,  the  fences 
destroyed,  the  houses  burned,  the  laborers  stolen  away, 
and  the  owners  fugitives,  and,  if  this  were  all  their  wealth, 
beggars." 

His  remaining  letters,  written  on  the  march  from  lower 
Virginia  to  Manasaas   and   Maryland,   were  little  more 


LIEUT.  COLONEL  THORNTON.  21 

than  brief  note?,  penned  in  moments  snatched  from  the 
fatigues  of  the  journey.  But  in  all  of  them,  his  yearn- 
ings for  the  society  of  his  beloved  home  were  mingled 
with  prayers  for  faith  and  strength  to  bear  his  lot  with 
fortitude.  The  last  specimen  of  prayer  which  he  left  is 
incomplete.  Perhaps  the  bugle-call  summoned  him  away 
from  the  solemn  and  pleasing  communion  of  the  mercy 
seat,  to  the  march  or  the  combat, 

THE      LAST      PRAYER. 

July  21th,  1862. 

"  I  come  before  thee,  Oh  Lord  God  Almighty,  on  this 
thy  holy  day,  to  thank  thee  for  the  many  mercies  I  have 
received  from  thy  loving  hand,  and  for  the  protection 
thou  hast  heretofore  afforded  me ;  to  ask  tlr  t  thou  wilt 
not  withdraw  thy  mercy,  favor,  and  protection  from  me, 
but  wilt  continue  to  crown  me  with  blessings,  and  shield 
me  from  all  assaults  of  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  Dev- 
il. I  come  to  implore  the  forgiveness  of  my -sins,  pardon 
.for  nil  my  guilt,  and  eternal  salvation  for  my  sou],  through 
the  merits  and  intercession  of  thine  adorable  Son  Christ 
Jesus.  I  come  to  praie  thee  for  the  loving  kindness  and 
tender  compassion  which,  at  such  a  cost,  and  at  such 
a  sacrifice,  furnished  a  way  of  escape  for  guilty  man. 
Oh  Lord!  I  would  live  near  to  thy  Son  Christ  Jesus, 
our  Lord  and  .Saviour.  I  .pray  thee  to  give  me 
grace,  to  illumine  my  understanding,  to  fill  my  heart 
with  love,  to  make  thy  service  my  delightful  work, 
and  obedience  to  thy  law  my  most  pleasant  duty. 
Save  me,  I  beseech  thee,  from  vain-glorying,  from 
boasting,  from. self-reliance," 

Thus  the  expression  of  his  longings  for  holiness 
were  broken  off  unfinished,  like  his  life.  But  his 
friends  may  trust  that  his  life,  so  full  of  promise  here 
was  but  the  infancy  of  a  far  more  blessed  and  glori- 
ous existence  in  that   heaven   to   w^hich  he  aspired ; 


22  A    MEMORIAL    OF     LIEUT.    COL.      THORNTON. 

and  so,  that  these  acts  of  worship,  interrupted  here 
below  are  now  continued  with  a  nobler,  sweeter  ton- 
gue, and  with  higher  raptures,  where  there  are  no 
wars*nor  rumors  of  wars  to"~cTisturb  the  saints,  in  the 
heavenly  Sabbath. 

These  mementoes  exhibit,  so  far  as  a  brief  Chris- 
tian life  of  less  than  a  year  could,  the  renewing  pow- 
er of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  a  high  degree. 
The  scriptural  tone  of  the  petitions  shows,  in  one  so 
young  in  di\»ine  knowledge,  the  evident  teachings  of 
the  Holy  Ghost.  The  change  in  Col.  Thorntorn's 
character  was  marked.  He  was,  by  nature,  a  proud 
spirit;  we  here  find  his  prayers  breathing  the  most 
profound  humility.  His  character  was  usually  ap- 
prehended to  be  stern  ;  these  exercises  of  soul  are 
instinct  with  a  melting  tenderness,  for  all,  except  the 
enemies  of  righteousness.  This  attempt  to  display 
his  inner  life  is  now  closed,  with  the  earnest  prayer, 
that  God  may  incline  the  hearts  of  all  his  friends  and 
comrades,  and  of  every  brave  soldier  of  our  country, 
to  seek  his  Saviour,  to  imitate  his  example  so- far  as 
he  was  a  follower  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  raise  to  the~ 
throne  of  grace,  these,  or  such-like  prayers. 


PUBLICATIONS 

OF    THE 

Presbyterian  Committee  of  Publication, 

114  Main  Street, 

RICH3IOXD     VA. 


The  Presbyterian  Committee  have   recently  pub- 
lished : 

THE   ARMY    HYMN  BOOK; 

Price  in  paper  covers,  "20  cents;  stiff  covers  with  cloth 

WEE  DAVIE, 

A  charming  book,  as  may  be  judged  from  the  fact  that 
it  has  rapidly  run  through  twenty-seven  editions  in 
England.     Price. — 50  Cents. 

THE  SOLDIER'S  VISITOR,  a  paper  designed  for 
gratuitous  circulation  in  the  army.  Price  to  pay- 
subscribers — $1  50  a  year. 

THE  CHILDREN'S  FRIEND,  a  paper  for  the  young#; 
issued  twice  a  month.  Price — $1  for  six  months  for 
a  single  copy,  twenty-five  copies  for  $20;  sixty-five- 
copies  for  $50  ;  one  hundred  copies  for  $75. 

THE  SHORTER  CATECHISM,  AND  CATECHISM 
FOR  YOUNG  CHILDREN.-Pricc,  $1  per  doz. 

TRACTS! 

The  Committee  are,  also,  constantly  issuing  Tracts, 
designed  chiefly  for  circulation  in  the  army.  Contribu- 
tions for  this  object,  as  well  as  for  the  Soldier's  Visitor, 
are  respectfully  solicited. 

ENGLISH    PUBLICATIONS. 

Though  long  delayed,  the  Committee  have,  now, 
reason  to  look  for  the  speedy  arrival  of  additional  sup- 
plies of  the  English  books  and  tracts,  which  have  been 
so  popular,  and  so  much  sought  for  in  th*  army. 

AddieBs,  WM.  D.  COOKE,  Publishing  Agbnt, 

Box  157,  Ricmnond,  Va.' 


Hollinger  Corp. 
pH  8.5 


